4-H leaders tackle home for chickens

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition volunteers work near the chicken coop 4-H leaders are planning to replace after its demolished during the construction of new home for Howard and Jessica Huber. Currently, neighbors are housing the couple’s chickens (Jed Carlson/jcarlson@superior-telegram.com)

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You could call Dave Minor a shaker; you could call him a mover. Just don’t call him Coop.

Thanks to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build going on in Oakland, Minor, the president and chief executive officer for the Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, knows more about chicken coups than he ever expected to.

“The only way I like chicken is fried,” he joked.

But this week, Minor has been on a mission to make a new chicken coop a reality for the Howard and Jessica Huber family.

When someone mentioned wanting to build a coop for the Hubers as part of the one-week building project, show designers came to Minor for help.

“They asked if I knew anybody in Douglas County who wanted to take this on as a project,” Minor said.

So he called Pat Luostari, long-time 4-H leader from Cloverland. Then he found out another 4-H group from Oakland was willing to lend a hand. The combined forces, including other adults involved in the youth program, are planning to build the coop within the next three days.

“They mostly said we need to be able to handle a screw gun,” said Sheila Filmore, one of the leaders for the 4-H Eagles of Bennett. “I can handle that.”

That left one more job for Minor to do – find material for the coop. He turned to Campbell Lumber of Superior for help.

Tuesday, Frank Gerard, president of Campbell Lumber, got the call. Minor was looking for donated materials for an 8-by-8 foot chicken coop, complete with dividers, plywood floor and cupola on top. Gerard didn’t hesitate to offer the $1,500 worth of materials.

“I think it’s a good thing to do,” he said. While some people help with their talents, he said, others provide their treasure.

The cozy coop will have room for 15-20 laying hens to rest in style. Show producers are planning to work in a segment on the coop for the show, Minor said.

As for the Chamber CEO, he continues to juggle last-minute requests, finding sponsors and volunteers to make things happen. Minor said that, although he’s not into construction, he’s into procurement. His efforts, and those of 4-H volunteers, will ensure that the Huber family’s chickens have a cozy coop to call home.